The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees recently published the story of Mama Elizabeth, a 65-year-old Sudanese refugee who is among the volunteer “guardian angels” who have opened their homes in the four refugee camps in South Sudan’s Maban County to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.
Kylie Kiunguyu
Arts, Culture and Sport Chadwick Boseman to play the first African Samurai
Chadwick Boseman, the star of Black Panther, has signed on to portray Yasuke, a native of Portuguese Mozambique who became the first African samurai. The movie, which is set in the 16th century, is based on a true story.
Politics and Society Rwanda on track to provide universal water access by 2024
With the inauguration of the new Nzove Water Treatment Plant and the upgrade of Nzove II in City of Kigali, Rwanda’s prime minister, Édouard Ngirente, says the country is on course to achieving universal access to water by 2024.
Lifestyle “Black is Beautiful” proponent Kwame Brathwaite: Photography to restore Black pride
Kwame Brathwaite is a documentary photographer who chronicled the cultural, political and social developments of Harlem and co-founded the African Jazz Art Society and Studios. He staged a series of pageants that featured only black models, which helped popularise the phrase “Black Is Beautiful”. This is also the title of his upcoming book.
Lifestyle Ethiopian period equity champion Freweini Mebrahtu named a 2019 CNN Hero
Freweini Mebrahtu is an Ethiopian chemical engineer who designed and patented a reusable menstrual pad and founded the Mariam Seba Sanitary Products factory where these are manufactured. For her work and efforts towards period equity in Ethiopia, she has been named a 2019 CNN Hero.
Arts, Culture and Sport Tiwa Savage becomes first African artist to sign with Universal Music Group
Nigerian Afrobeat star Tiwa Savage is the first African artist to sign a global deal with Universal Music Group. This comes months after she was the first woman to win the MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act.
Politics and Society Semenya’s IAAF loss and the ethical implications
The world is reacting to the International Association of Athletics Federation’s controversial rule regulating testosterone levels in female athletes, which will come into effect on 8 May. This comes after the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled in the federation’s favour in a landmark case filed by Caster Semenya, the South African 800m Olympic champion.
Politics and Society “Burkini Island” Zanzibar: Where Muslim girls are learning how to swim
Conservative Islamic culture and the absence of modest swimwear have discouraged girls from swimming, even when they live their lives surrounded by water. This has been true for the female inhabitants of Tanzania’s Zanzibar Island. Now the Panje Project is breaking the mold to teach women and girls swimming and aquatic safety.
Lifestyle Mr and Miss Autism Kenya 2019
The Mr and Miss Autism Kenya pageant is an event that is helping to bridge the existing gap in awareness and education on autism. By alleviating the stigma associated with the condition, parents will feel more inclined to get their children diagnosed early, thus increasing the chances of successful intervention.